8 Startups Founded At Manchester University

Manchester, one of the biggest cities in the North of England and home to the prestigious Manchester University, is also a centre of innovation.

Home to over 40,000 students, the University is one of the top in the UK.

But Manchester University isn’t just about academics. The University’s accelerator programme, the Innovation Factory, has seen hoards of businesses founded within its walls.

 

What Is Manchester University Known For?

 

Aside from being part of the UK’s Russell Group Universities, Manchester is known for a number of things including:

Prestigious alumni: Alumni of the university include some big names, including Alan Turing, Brian Cos and Benedict Cumberbatch. The University was also the birthplace of a material called graphene – which won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2021.

Diverse student body: Manchester University has a strong diversity and inclusion scheme, allowing it to be one of the most culturally diverse student bodies in the UK.

High global ranking: Manchester University ranked 34th in the world according to the 2025 QS Ranking of World Universities – making it a big name both locally and globally.

Their accelerator programme: The University’s Innovation Factory programme is known for being a pioneer in research and business development. Here, we take a look at some of the interesting startups that have been born from it:

 

Careloop

 

 

Careloop is helping with mental health management, by using software to track patient treatments, alert any problems and make care more personalised.

By combining a remote system monitoring platform with predictive algorithms, the platform can help healthcare workers keep track of patients and foresee any issues.

 

 

Pharmakure

 

 

Pharmakure is helping to develop treatments for neuro-degenerative diseases.

The Pharmakure team is helping to tackle these diseases, using blood-based biomarkers. This is helping to develop new and future therapies and bring treatments to market faster.

 

Manchester Robotics

 

Manchester Robotics is helping more people learn and engage with the world of robotics. Currently, robotics can feel out of touch for many people. Manchester Robotics is setting out to change this.

Through their PuzzleBot community, people can learn more and understand key concepts in robotics – bringing more people into the industry.

 

GiFT

 

The GiFT (Guidance for Tracheostomy) project is developing a new suite of tracheostomy devices, helping to make ICU care more precise.

As tracheostomies can be high risk for certain patients, this technology is helping to reduce costs and lower risks.

 

Clin-e-cal

 

 

Clin-e-cal is making children’s’ inhalers smarter, by allowing them to react to sounds.

Their Sound Response technology makes giving inhalers to children easier. It works through a game, showing them and encouraging them to use the right techniques. This not only makes it more effective, but more fun too.

 

Atomic Mechanics

 

 

Atomic Mechanics has developed a thin film that can be put on devices and will sense touch.

This film is durable and flexible, meaning it can be integrated into a whole host of designs.

 

Phovir

 

 

Phovir aims to improve material analysis by allowing people to ‘see beyond the surface’.

Using advanced infrared technology, the company is helping people look deeper at materials, which can help analyse them for management, building and more.

 

Music in Mind Ltd

 

Manchester Camerata in partnership with the University of Manchester, have worked together to develop a music making system for people living with dementia.

Given how transformative music therapy can be, these two institutions have partnered to create better training programmes to help improve well being in those with neurodegenerative diseases.